PADI Freediving Instructor Course

Turn your PASSION into a PROFESSION.

Are you ready to turn your passion for depth into a career that inspires others?

The Depth Wish PADI Freediver Instructor Course is an intensive, hands-on training experience that equips you with the teaching skills, leadership mindset, and professional judgment to safely guide and certify new freedivers through the PADI Freediver and Basic Freediver programs.

But this isn’t just about earning another certification, it’s about building your future. Depth Wish goes beyond the standard curriculum with advanced modules in business development, personal branding, marketing, and student psychology. You’ll gain tools to grow your professional presence, connect with industry leaders, and truly understand how to adapt your teaching to every diver you meet.

Optional add-ons like First Aid / CPR and O₂ Provider / Instructor certifications give you the confidence and versatility to launch your career at the highest level.

Join a global network of PADI Professionals making an impact beneath the surface and start shaping the next generation of freedivers.

  • Class size: 1-4 students.
    [Private courses available. See below.]

    Duration:
    10 Days | 7 Hour classes each day from 10am-5pm.

    • A mixture of classroom / theory study, confined water session, and open water sessions at a local spring.

    • Basic course runs up to 10 days.

    • Optional add on certifications can bring course length up to 12 days.

    Location:
    Gainesville, FL, USA

    • All classroom and confined water sessions will be held in Gainesville.

    • Open water locations for your course will be provided in your welcome letter after booking.

    • Open water locations are based on weather and conditions and thus, are subject to change.

    • Knowledge Development: PADI standards, risk management, physics, physiology, teaching methodology, marketing, and networking.

    • Student Presentations: Physiology, risk management, freediving knowledge review, PADI standards, and marketing.

    • Confined Water Practice: Static apnea, dynamic apnea, and rescue scenarios.

    • Open Water Training: Free immersion, constant weight, safety dives, and real teaching assessments.

    • Comprehensive Evaluation: Instructor Exam (written + interview), final review, and a Depth Wish graduation ceremony celebrating your achievement.

  • Professional Mastery

    • Develop a deep understanding of PADI standards, risk management, dive physics, and freediving physiology.

    • Learn to analyze, adapt, and respond to each student’s unique learning style and performance needs.

    • Build a foundation of sound judgment and leadership that sets you apart as a true professional.

    Classroom & Presentation Skills

    • Learn to deliver engaging, confident lectures, briefings, and debriefings.

    • Gain the ability to spot and correct technique issues and assist students through equalization challenges.

    • Practice clear communication and student-centered instruction for all levels.

    Confined Water Teaching

    • Master how to introduce, demonstrate, and evaluate freediving skills in pool or pool-like environments.

    • Lead students through dynamic and static apnea training with safety and clarity.

    • Practice rescue and response scenarios to prepare for real-world situations.

    Open Water Leadership

    • Learn how to conduct progressive depth sessions while maintaining strict safety and supervision standards.

    • Guide students through constant weight and free immersion dives with confidence.

    • Develop strategies for fear management and student mindset coaching.

    Rescue & Emergency Management

    • Train in advanced rescue readiness and problem recognition.

    • Learn professional response techniques for surface and underwater emergencies.

    • Earn additional certifications in Emergency Oxygen Provider and EFR Instructor (optional add-ons).

    Marketing & Professional Growth

    • Go beyond the standard instructor course with Depth Wish’s exclusive career modules:

      • Brand development and personal marketing strategies.

      • Social media and content creation tailored to the freediving community.

      • Networking guidance to connect you with other professionals and opportunities in the industry.

    Evaluation & Instructor Exam Prep

    • Receive personalized feedback and coaching throughout the course.

    • Prepare for your PADI Instructor Examination (IE) through both written and practical assessments.

    • Benefit from daily one-on-one reviews and a final evaluation session to ensure you’re ready to lead.

  • Upon successful course completion and passing of the PADI Instructor Examination, you’ll be authorized to:

    • Teach and certify students in PADI Basic Freediver and PADI Freediver courses.

    • Create your own PADI Specialty course. 

    • ADD ON OPTION: O2 Provider / Instructor certification.

    • ADD ON OPTION: First Aid / CPR certification.

    In addition, graduates may also be offered the opportunity to…

    • Join the Depth Wish team as an instructor.

    • Assist and shadow Depth Wish PADI courses. 

    • Must be at least 18 years old or older.

    • Hold a PADI Master Freediver certification (or qualifying equivalent certification).

    • Comfortable diving repetitively to 32m, have a 3:30 static, 75m dynamic, and strong rescue skills from 15-20m.

    • Be currently certified in Emergency First Response  (CPR/First Aid).

      • Optional add-on CPR / First Aid courses are available to be completed before the instructor course.

    • Provide a PADI medical form signed by a physician.

    • Experience shadowing / assisting with freediving courses is strongly recommended but not required.

WHY DIVE WITH DEPTH WISH?

Small Class Sizes

  • Get the attention you deserve with intimate group sizes that allow for personalized coaching, tailored feedback, and faster growth.

  • Every session is designed to meet you where you are and push you toward your full teaching potential.

World-Class Training Sites

  • Train in the crystal-clear freshwater springs of Florida — the perfect classroom for mastering depth, technique, and safety.

  • These unique environments offer year-round visibility and calm conditions, ideal for focused skill development and real-world teaching experience.

Ongoing Mentorship

  • Your journey doesn’t end with certification.

  • Join the Depth Wish Instructor Network for continued mentorship, professional guidance, and collaboration opportunities long after your course ends.

Professional Development Focus

  • We don’t just prepare you to pass the Instructor Exam — we prepare you to thrive as an educator, leader, and professional.

  • Learn how to build your brand, attract students, and create a career that lasts in and out of the water.

Learn from the Best

  • Train directly under Tanner, whose experience spans international competition, safety diving, and coaching alongside world-class athletes.

  • With years spent diving around the world and hosting both small and large freediving events, Tanner brings a unique blend of technical expertise and real-world insight you won’t find in a standard instructor course.

READY TO Apply?

Dates below show the FIRST DAY of the course.
Please remember this course spans 10 Days.
Each add on is an additional day, to be completed before the instructor course.

COURSE COST

$3,500

ADD-ONS

FIRST AID / CPR: $300
O2 PROVIDER / INSTRUCTOR: $300

Once you click book, you will be brought to our application page. Please note: this is an application, not an automatic enrollment. Once submitted, our team will review your responses. After reviewing, we’ll reach out to schedule a follow-up call to confirming your spot.

Please allow up to 48 hours for us to review your application and reach out to schedule a call.

Payment plans are available and can be discussed on the follow-up call.

If you’re accepted and later need to move your start date, rescheduling more than 30 days out requires a $350 fee, and within 30 days requires a $750 fee.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL COURSES, EXPERIENCES, TRAININGS, AND ADD-ONS, ONCE PURCHASED, ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE.

Don’t see a date you’re looking for? Contact us directly and we’ll see if we can add a date to the calendar just for you!

Want to save time for any future bookings? Click “SIGN UP” above the course dates to set up a scheduling account and never spend time entering your info again!

  • This does not sign you up for emails / newsletters / etc.